Have You Planted Summer Flowers ?

Late spring is the perfect time to plant seeds for easy to grow summer flowers. The soil needs to be warm enough for germination and the spring rains will help the seedlings get going.
Summer annual flowers include zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, petunias, bachelor buttons, balsam, alyssum, marigolds, vinca, poertuluca, lobelia to name just a few.
Flowers need at least six hours of full sun to bloom profusely. In very hot areas such as the Southwest and desert areas, afternoon shade is appreciated.

Prepare the soil by digging down at least six inches. Turn the soil over with a shovel. Add compost or well rotten manure and a time release fertilizer per the package directions. Turn the soil over again to mix in your ingredients.If your flower bed is up against a wall or fence, plant the tallest flowers in the back, medium tall in the middle and short or spreading flowers in the front. The tall flowers can use the wall to lean on and won't shade the shorter flowers.If your flower bed is in the middle of the yard, plant the tall flowers in the center, surrounded by medium tall flowers and then ringed by the shorter and spreading flowersThrow caution to the wind and plant a splashy mix of all different colors, much like you'd find in a meadow. Or plant in coordinated colors. All pastels are very pretty. Pick a two bright opposing colors like red and blue and fill in with plenty of white. Orange and purple work well too with lots of white or cream. Or pick all shades of the same color like blue and then use a pop of yellow every once in awhile.

Plant seeds three times as closely as the seed package says. That gives you extra seedlings because you'll lose some to the birds and bugs. Cover the seeds as directed and then add a layer of mulch on top. Water thoroughly. Only water when the soil looks dry not on a schedule. Too much water can be as bad for baby plants as not enough water.After the seeds have sprouted wait until they have at least four true leaves then thin to the desired spacing. Shorter flowers can be spaced to six inches apart. Medium flowers can be 12 inches apart and space tall flowers about 18 inches apart.
One of the nicest things about summer flowers is that the more you pick them for bouquets the longer they'll stay in bloom. The purpose of a flower, from the plant's point of view, is to set seeds. Once that's done the plant will stop blooming. If you remove the flowers the plant will keep on blooming.After the first rush of blooms cut the flowers back by about half and you should be able to force a second bloom. It won't be quite as extravagant as the first bloom but will still be lovely.
Late spring is the time to plant your summer flower seeds for an extravagant display all summer.

Guest Author:
More tips from Dee Power on growing strawberries at EasyGardenCare.com Dee Power is the author of several nonfiction books. She and her daughter have created PartyIdeasKids.com Organic Gardening Articles

A few tips to reduce our exposure to pesticides

Today I'll be short and very clear. The picture and words in the below post will give the right explanation of today's topics.

Buy organic and locally grown fruit and vegetables.
Wash fruits and vegetables before eating.
Know which fruits and vegetables have higher levels of pesticide residue.
Grow your own produce.
Use non-toxic methods for controlling insects in the home and garden.
Have a ‘no shoes’ policy in your home.

Gardening Tips For Spring

Looking for some thrifty living tips to get your spring started? Spring is the time of renewal and growth. Everything seems fresh and new. It's the perfect time to renew your plan to live a more thrifty life. Here are 5 tips to get you started:
Gardening: It's gardening season - time to prepare your soil. One thrifty gardening tip is to begin working in the compost you have been making all year. Take the rich dark compost soil, put around 2 inches of it on the garden and work it into the top 5 inches of the garden.

Developing your own compost is a huge money savings, so if you don't already have a compost, get one started. You can purchase a commercial compost bin, or make your own. The size of the bin you will be working with will depend on the space you have available. You can either enclose an area with boards or just decide on an area you want to use, loosen the dirt out at least a foot down, add your kitchen scraps and turn into the dirt on a regular basis. You can also add leaves and lawn clippings from the yard. Be sure to mix the scraps into the dirt well and keep the compost moist.

Planting Another step to thrifty gardening in the spring is getting your seedlings started. A great way to plant your seedlings is in pots made from old newspaper. To do this, get the newspaper moist, using two containers that are the same size, line one with the newspaper and press in with the other container. Remove the second container and let the newspaper dry. Use this to plant your seeds, and when your plants come up and are ready to plant in the garden, you can plant the newspaper pot and all. The newspaper will decompose over time.
Tools, Pots and Planters If you don't have gardening tools or yours need replaced, start looking at yard sales, thrift stores and secondhand stores. Often you will find near new tools at these venues. For pots and planters, look around to the things you already have. You can use practically anything as a planter, such as an old pair of boots, or an old barrel or metal pail. Use your imagination and use what you already have.
Mulch Old newspaper is a thrifty option for mulch in the garden. Shred a bunch of newspaper and place around the bottom of your plants. This will help hold moisture and heat.
Watering If you are allowed to catch rain water in your area, this is the perfect way to save money on watering your garden and yard. Check your local regulations since catching and using rain water isn't legal in some areas.
Another thrifty watering trick is to cut the bottom off of liter soda bottles, push the neck of the bottles down into the ground around your plants, then fill with water. The water will soak in slower than just watering with a sprinkler.

About Guest Author:
Find more thrifty living tips and ideas at www.Thrifty-Living-Tips.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/ThriftyLinda.
Organic Gardening Articles

Azara micro-phylla and the Bamboo

The Azara are hardy evergreen shrubs.

Only one species of azara is of much importance from the gardener's standpoint, and this is Azara micro-phylla, an evergreen shrub or small tree which is usually grown in this country as a wall climber. It has the distinct merit that it will thrive on a sunless wall and is very suitable for north aspects. Nevertheless, it will also succeed in sunny positions.Azara micro-phylla is not absolutely hardy in all parts of the country, and even in the south may be cut to the ground in a severe winter if planted in exposed places. A good loamy but well-drained soil is ideal. If in the open, pruning is not necessary. When trained on a wall, straggling shoots should be shortened or removed in early summer. Young plants should always be raised in pots and transplanted in September, April, or early May.Azara microphylla can be propagated by means of cuttings of well-ripened growth pulled off with a small heel of older wood and inserted in very sandy soil in a frame in August or September.

Bamboo are hardy and half-hardy evergreen plants.
The plants that are familiarly known in gardens as bamboos are divided by the botanists into three distinct families under the generic names Arundinaria, Bambusa, and Phyllostachys. However, the gardener need not trouble himself with the scientific differences which separate them, as all require much the same cultural care. One or two species are really too tender for cultivation outdoors in most parts of the country and are best grown in the conservatory with a minimum temperature of about 40 deg. Two notable examples of this type are Bambusa arundinacea and Bambusa vulgaris, both very large species, which in their native countries attain heights of 50 feet or more.

Even the hardiest bamboos should be planted in places where they are sheltered from high winds. Unless this precaution is taken the foliage is apt to become brown in patches and soon presents a shabby and untidy appearance. All bamboos succeed best in a good loamy soil which is neither so sandy as to dry out badly in the summer nor so heavy as to be cold and sodden in winter. Peat or leaf-mould of a good quality may be worked into the soil freely before planting, and it is an excellent plan to give the plants an annual mulch of well-rotted manure when growth starts in the spring. This will greatly improve the quality of the foliage. Bamboos usually look their best when established near ornamental water, and benefit from the extra moisture in the soil during the spring and summer. It is not advisable, however, that the crowns should be constantly soaked or standing in stagnant water during winter. For these reasons plants should be established sufficiently above water level to ensure reasonably good drainage at that season. April and early May are the best times for planting bamboos, and they should never be disturbed during the winter.

Propagation is most easily effected by division at planting time. Seed, if procurable, also offers a possible method of propagation. It should be sown very thinly during February or March in a light peaty compost in well-drained pans, and should be germinated in a warm greenhouse with a temperature of about 65 degrees.



Ian has a great interest in gardening and writes occasional articles. Come and visit his newest website at http://www.orthomaticadjustablebeds.com , and look particularly at the http://www.orthomaticadjustablebeds.com/leggett-and-platt-adjustable-beds.html
Organic Gardening Articles

Organic Gardening - Best Benefits For Our Health

Organic gardening is on of those things which sound like a little hobby for senior citizens. As far back as I can remember, society would look at organic gardening as something which only hippies or so called tree huggers participated in. However, based on the current economy and food prices, organic gardening is fast becoming one of the best ways to save money and eat healthy. This article will show you the top 5 health benefits of organic gardening.

Increased Consumption of Healthy Organic Foods
Before I first started organic gardening, I did not realize that I was consuming vegetables with weird chemicals included in them. The simple fact of the matter is that organic fruits and vegetables taste much better. Traditionally grown fruits and vegetables are dry and lack flavor because they do not have the trace minerals that are added to the soils in actual organic gardens. Many times dyes and food coloring are added to make these vegetables look better. I tend to find these unhealthy types in my local supermarket. The nice thing about organic gardening is that by the end of the season there is enough fresh harvest to last for a long while. I have easily been able to create a healthy luscious supply of fruits and vegetables.

Weight Loss from doing an Outdoor Activity
As I mentioned earlier, I used to think of organic gardening as a simple hobby and nothing more. In actuality, it serves as a great and healthy hobby. After I finished medical school and started living on my own, I ate fried and greasy foods. This put on a great deal of weight to my body and I really needed something that was able to help me live better. Through organic gardening, I was able to burn a lot of calories each day because I really cared about the end results. Not only is weight loss a great incentive, but I felt as though I was one with nature. When I started spending more time outside, I realized how long I spent indoors studying or watching television. At least I was able to breathe more fresh air and get plenty of natural sunlight. Keep in mind that you burn more calories in active gardening.

Boost of Self Esteem and Confidence
One thing I have noticed is that nature provides a euphoric feeling of health and calmness. Even as a medical doctor, I cannot fully explain this phenomenon. With the increase in technology and television programs, it is easy to forget the serenity and peace of nature. Aside from the point, I felt my self esteem and confidence go further. Perhaps it is the fact that I have accomplished a long term task, or even my realization that I can wait for a good harvest. What I can say, is that I have been able to control my emotions better and appreciate my quiet time while gardening.

Reduced Exposure to Harmful Pesticides
Throughout my medical career, I have come to understand the devastating long term affects of pesticides. The one thing which boggles my mind is how the media is portraying this thing. I remember seeing a television ad some time ago saying that the pesticides were safe and effective at killing bugs. Plants have been known to produce their own natural 'pesticide' to deal with the onslaught of bugs. Through organic gardening, you have the chance to free yourself from these damaging chemicals as well as preservatives. The soil you will be using is full of rich vitamins and minerals as opposed to whatever they are doing on the other farms for the public. Take a look at many of the scientific studies which have concluded that pesticides are known to cause cancers and other health problems.

The Ability to Save Money
I cannot even begin to tell you the amount of money I have saved yearly with organic gardening. It makes me very happy when the season arrives because I know that I can create a well stocked harvest for the year. One example I will use is tomato sauce. Spaghetti and other pastas are favorites for my family. Instead of shopping for some strange and expensive brand, my wife and I take some of our fresh tomatoes and create our own sauce. Another benefit from this is that we do not have to worry about empty bottles lying around. Also, the ultimate way that organic gardening saves money is that we do not have to worry about buying a lot of fertilizer. My wife loves to compost kitchen scraps in order to create new foods for the next season.

All in all, organic gardening has many benefits which not only helps your health, but also the environment. I have been gardening for over 10 years and it has truly changed my life and the way I look at fresh foods. My medical experience has also helped me to appreciate the time it takes to produce food and take care of it. Organic gardening is by far the most healthy and inexpensive way to eat healthy and live longer.

Hello, my name is Dr. Davon Jacobson, M.d. and I absolutely love gardening. There are many natural and health benefits to this hobby and I want to share them with you. To learn more about this, please visit my site at http://www.squidoo.com/easy_simple_organic_gardening_tips
Organic Gardening Articles

Miracle of Bamboo Garden

Bamboo is a ubiquitous tropical plant with thousands of uses, ranging from the building of tiki huts to the making of musical instruments and even acupuncture needles For many cultures around the globe, bamboo represents strength and long life.

Incorporating Bamboo Into Your Landscaping by Rene Thompson

Bamboo is a ubiquitous tropical plant with thousands of uses, ranging from the building of tiki huts to the making of musical instruments and even acupuncture needles. For many cultures around the globe, bamboo represents strength and long life. In many areas of the world, bamboo poles are a traditional building material. Although most varieties of bamboo are native to Asia, perhaps bamboo's most famous role is in tropical tiki bar construction. A tiki bar just isn't a tiki bar without the characteristic bamboo poles and thatched roof. If you love the tiki-hut look and want to extend this ambiance to the rest of your backyard, or even bring the tiki mood indoors, consider planting bamboo.

Some varieties of bamboo can grow more than a foot each day, reaching a top height of over 130 feet. Bamboo has a reputation for growing quickly to overtake any space. Of course, you don't have to plant this variety in your yard! The smallest varieties of bamboo grow to be just a few inches tall, and can easily be grown in a container indoors. There are more than a thousand different species of bamboo, so you're sure to find at least a few that will fit into your plans for your backyard or your living room. Even invasive species can be planted as long as you plan for barriers to keep the bamboo from spreading throughout your yard. Other bamboo species will stay nicely in a clump and are easily tended.

Growing bamboo successfully requires plenty of light and humidity, along with well-drained soils. Bamboo plants are grasses, and will not grow well in saturated ground. You should not water the plant every day. Instead, check your bamboo's soil to determine when to water it. If the leaves start to curl, it's a sign that your bamboo plant needs more water, while drooping leaves are a sign of too much water in the soil. Because they are used to tropical and temperate zones, they need plenty of light and air circulation if you want them to thrive. Traditional growers of bamboo often raise the pots of new plants on chopsticks so that air can circulate under the plant.

If you are growing bamboo plants indoors, mist them with a spray bottle to mimic their naturally humid environment. You can also place the potted bamboo on a tray of pebbles and water. The evaporating water will create humidity around your bamboo plants. Over time, bamboo will acclimate to your indoor conditions.

Indoors or out, bamboo is a beautiful addition to any home. If you are looking for an attractive, “natural” look, whether you are a tiki culture aficionado or simply love the idea of sitting on a tropical island, consider growing your own bamboo. The unmistakable look of bamboo is immediately associated with islands of the South Pacific, creating a calming and exotic effect. Of course, once you've added bamboo, why not add a few tiki torches, tiki masks, or other tropical pieces to truly complete your home's island-style transformation?

http://www.royaltiki.com has a wide range of Tiki, hand-carved on Hawaii. Organic Garden Articles

Benefits of Use a Good Gardening Waste

If you like to spend time in your garden tending to the plants and flowers then you will no doubt have realised the need to have a good gardening waste bin on hand. Whether you are doing your weeding or mowing or even planting and seeding in the garden you are going to be generating quite a bit of waste that will need to be stored in a more organised manner. In fact, by properly managing your gardening waste you can do a number of useful things with all the waste that has been generated.Without a good gardening waste bin you will end up with an uncluttered garden and you won't also know how to handle and dispose of the waste. When mowing a lawn you will generate waste and the same is the case when removing weeds from the garden and there will also be quite a bit of leaf litter to be got rid of as well. However, if you use proper bins you can actually even reuse the waste by doing some composting.

Composting really means rotting the vegetable matter and using its by-product or compost as food that can make your garden grow better. Though this process involves a lot of getting your hands dirty and having to deal with lots of yuck and muck there are certain compost bins that you can use to help ensure keeping the compost out of eyesight.The other fact is that not all your waste will be turned into compost and so it is essential to have another bin in which to store this unused waste. Branches are a good example of what cannot be made into compost and so you need a nice and strong waste bin in which to dispose of these branches.

When choosing your gardening bin it is a good idea to pick an item that sits on wheels as this makes it easier and more convenient for you to ferry the bin with you to different parts of the garden and also of your home.Many of the gardening bins that you will come across are very like a conventional bin on wheels and they will also generally be painted green to go with the colour of a garden. The green coloured bins are also easier to distinguish from normal waste bins and so you can put in the right kind of waste into your gardening bin. This is important because most gardening waste is recyclable while most household waste is not.

Don't forget to also look for a gardening bin with a lid to it which will provide a lot of use during the hot summer months when the lid will ensure that flies are not able to enter into the bin. If they do get in they will lay eggs and the appearance of maggots can make cleaning bins most unpleasant!

You may need to purchase heavy duty gardening bins as these work well in most situations and especially well for those who do professional gardening. Such waste bins tend to be larger in size as compared to regular gardening bins and the large size makes it easy to store larger amount of waste and ensures less botheration when working busily in your garden.

Organic Gardening Articles

How to Build a Garden Path on Easy Way

Would you like to build a path in your garden, but don't want to rent a compactor or fuss too much with levels? Are you looking for a walkway that's attractive and durable? Why not try a pea gravel walkway with stepping-stones? It's quick, relatively easy to install, and looks great.

Another advantage of this type of path is that it’s quick and easy to change as well. If you want to change the way the stones are laid out or install new stones to change the look completely, it can be done in an afternoon.
The first thing you will need to do is lay out the shape of your path--garden hose works great for this. Tip: gently curved lines are usually more visually appealing than angular or straight lines. Once you have decided the shape and length of your path, use the sod cutter to cut along the edges of your path to define the outer lines.

If there is sod to remove from your path area, use the sod cutter to cut a checkerboard pattern inside the borders of the path, dividing the sod into approximately 1' squares (for easy removal). Next, remove the sod and soil to a depth of about 4".
Now that you have your path excavated, its time for the pea gravel--this can be purchased at your local landscape firm or at a crushed rock supplier. Pea gravel is a product made up of small rounded stones, which is easy to spread and easy on the body, if you fall.

Before you install the gravel, it is a good idea to put down a weed barrier of some sort--old newspaper works great for this--just put it over the whole path area in a layer two or three sheets thick. Next, evenly distribute the pea gravel over the entire area of your path and rake it out smooth, filling the path back up to ground level.
With your gravel now in place, its time to start placing your stepping stones. There are many choices for stepping-stones. You can choose from a variety of man-made products or use natural flagstone. Place the stones the length of your path so that they are a comfortable stepping-distance apart, and then start setting them into the gravel.

Pea gravel is easy to dig, so you can simply use your hands to scoop out a hole for each stone--then push down on the stone with both hands and wiggle it downward into the gravel until it is stable. Remember to wear work gloves and steel toed shoes, when handling these heavy stones--lift with your legs, not your back.
That's pretty much it. You now have an attractive, durable, weed resistant path, which you can enjoy for many years to come.
Materials, tools and equipment needed: stepping-stones, wheelbarrow, pea gravel, sod cutter, shovel, rake, steel-toed shoes, work gloves.
Work safe: Always wear work gloves and/or safety glasses when you should. When handling heavy materials, lift with your legs, not your back, and remember to wear steel-toed shoes.

Organic Garden Articles

Design Your Own Garden

If you have lucky an just moved into a new house, and you want to totally redesign your yard. Or maybe you've lived in your home awhile, but you're ready for a new gardening and landscaping look. Whichever the case may be, here are a few simple tips for planning your home garden...

Firstly, size up your yard. Considerations will include the slope of the land; amount of sun; natural water drainage; activities, including play areas, parking and walking; the climate you live in and the existing structures, including the house.Walk around your yard with a clipboard or notebook, making notes as you go. Mark any slopes, areas that are shaded, bare areas, etc. Then draw up a rough plan of your yard, trying to make the house and other structures as close to scale as possible.

Remember that your house is still the center of attention. Your garden is there to complement it. So choose plants that help create balance, add interest, and go well with your home's design. The colors of your house, for example, can help you choose the colors of your flowering plants.Work with what you have now. Incorporate current characteristics into your plan as much as possible. A natural slope, for example, may be the perfect place to put a waterfall and pond, or perhaps some stone steps.
Consider the final size. When considering plants or trees for a given area, be aware of the size they will grow to. This will keep you from placing large trees too close to the house, for example, or overshadowing your house with a huge, showy bush.Look into plants that are natural to the area you live in. They will be healthier, and you will have less work to do. Drive around, and note what plants do well in your area. Get general ideas, but don't copy any one yard too closely.Plan labor saving tips into your design for low-maintenance gardening. Your primary work will be weeding, watering and cutting. The design elements below can save you time and effort later.

Hello World

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this is my first post (picture)

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